ES2408250T3 - Handles for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Container for storing and / or transporting objects, the container being made of plastic material and comprising a base that extends in a first direction and at least two side walls extending from the base in a second direction, the container being provided less a dease section provided at least partially with a grip layer made of a material having a hardness than said plastic material, characterized in that said handle section is provided with at least one inspection hole through which the material extends of the grip layer and that is visible from the outside of the handle section to form a noticeable indication.

Description

Handles for a container.

The present invention relates to handles for a container. More particularly, it refers to a plastic container for storing and / or transporting objects, such as bottles, said container having at least one handle provided with a relatively soft grip layer. A container is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application No. EP 1000 865 (D W Plastics). More details about such a container are described in European Patent Application No. EP 03078279.1 (D W Plastics).

In the latest European patent application, several handle designs are described. The handles are provided with anchoring means to provide a firm cooperation of the grip layer (s). The inventor of the handles has realized that the design can be improved in order to provide more advantageous features.

It is often desirable to provide a container provided with marks, or indications, for example, alphanumeric characters indicating the brand or type of content of said container. Traditionally, labels that are typically applied to the side walls of the container have been used. In addition to the labels, the painted marks are known. Both labels and paint suffer from the disadvantage that they are easily damaged and typically worn during use. US Patent No. 345,439 discloses another method for applying marks to a container.

The grip layer of containers, such as boxes, can be provided in a variety of colors. Even if the grip material has approximately the same color as the container, the different properties of the grip material make the grip areas clearly distinctive. Typically, the grip layer has a thickness of at least one millimeter, often several millimeters, so that a grip layer remains visible for a long time, even if it wears out over time. A grip layer of this type is disclosed in German document No. DE 4022 884.

As a consequence, the present invention solves the problem of providing wear-resistant evidence, by using the material of the grip layer already existing in many containers.

Therefore the present invention provides a container for storing and / or transporting objects, the container being made of plastic material, and comprising a base, which extends in a first direction and at least two side walls, which extend from the base in a second direction, the container presenting at least one handle section provided at least partially with a grip layer made of a material having a hardness less than said plastic material, the handle section presenting at least one inspection hole, through which the material of the gripping layer is visible from the outside of the handle section, and at least one hole shaped in such a manner as to constitute a perceptible indication is said.

By providing the inspection holes that allow users to visualize the gripping material, and by forming the holes properly, various indications can be formed. For example, the indication thus formed may constitute at least one alphanumeric character. A plurality of inspection holes may constitute a name, such as a trademark or typing name.

Additionally, some inspection holes can be shaped to constitute grip ribs. It is also possible to provide shaped grip ribs to constitute indications, thus combining the functions of grasping and indicating.

The relatively soft material may be thermoplastic material. A suitable material may be SEBS (styrene ethylene butadiene styrene), commercially available as DryflexTM, although other relatively soft materials can be used. In context, the term "relatively soft" typically means softer than container walls. There may be a cavity that connects the inspection holes, but it is not essential, and each inspection hole may be provided with relatively soft material. That is, an adequate amount of relatively soft material can be introduced into each inspection hole, directly into each hole and / or indirectly through a common channel or cavity.

As indicated above, the present invention uses the material of the grip layer to provide visible indications. The material of the grip layer is already used in numerous containers and therefore no additional material is needed. The indications may be the same color as the gripping material, thus eliminating the need to use an additional dye, although other colors may be used. Obviously, some indications could be provided using at least two (relatively hard) plastic materials of different color to produce the container. However, this would suffer from the drawback that three materials would have to be used if a grip layer is desired.

The handle portion of a plastic container, for example a box, often has a smaller (wall) thickness to provide sufficient strength. However, said increased thickness may present an inconvenience during the manufacture of the container, particularly when the handle section forms a single piece with the box. The greater thickness of the material results in a considerably longer cooling time after the molding process, which increases the production cycle time. In addition, a piece of relatively large thickness may have greater shrinkage and / or deformation.

As a consequence, the present invention also provides a container for storing and / or transporting objects, the container being made of plastic material and comprising a base that extends in a first direction and at least two side walls that extend from the base in a second direction, substantially perpendicular, the container being provided with at least one handle section covered at least partially by a grip layer made of a material having a hardness less than said plastic material, where the handle section has a substantially U-shaped configuration in order to provide a cavity.

By providing a cavity in the handle section, the actual thickness of said handle section can be markedly reduced, while substantially maintaining the strength of the handle. A cavity, consisting of a hollow section open to the outside, can easily be provided by a mold in a suitable manner in which the container (or a separate handle section) is manufactured, without the need for air molding, or other techniques .

Although the cavity can remain empty, that is, filled with air, it is preferred that the cavity be filled with the material (preferably thermoplastic) that constitutes the grip layer. This reinforces the handle section and can provide additional anchorage of the relatively soft material. In addition, filling the cavity with the material of the grip layer closes the cavity, thus preventing the accumulation of dirt.

In a first embodiment, the cavity is oriented upwards. That is, the cavity (at least initially) is open at the upper end. This facilitates the injection of the relatively soft material from the grip layer, because the material can be injected from the top.

In a second embodiment, the cavity is oriented downwards. That is, the cavity (at least initially) is open at the lower end, in the opening of the handle. This embodiment has the advantage that the relatively soft material of the grip layer is not visible in the upper part of the handle section, which may be preferable for aesthetic reasons.

Preferably, the cavity is provided with at least one connection element that connects the opposite walls of the container, said connection element preferably forming a single piece with said walls. The connection element (s) cover the gap between the walls of the cavity, therefore considerably increasing the strength of the handle section. Preferably, it is desirable to provide two connection elements, while larger quantities such as three or four are also possible.

Advantageously, the handle section is provided with at least one through hole through which the material of the gripping layer can be extended. Two types of through holes can be distinguished. A first type consists of an anchor hole that serves to connect two layers or parts of the relatively soft material. Advantageously, said anchoring holes connect the gripping material inside the cavity with the gripping material (gripping layer) provided on the outside of the handle section thus providing excellent anchorage of the outer layer. A second type of through hole is an inspection hole through which the material of the grip layer is visible from the outside of the handle section. An inspection hole can be used to inspect the material in the cavity to verify that the cavity is filled correctly. Instead of, or in addition to, said inspection said hole (s) may serve to provide a visual indication, as discussed above. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, therefore, said at least one inspection hole is shaped so as to constitute a noticeable indication, the indication being preferably an alphanumeric character.

It will be understood that the visibility of said indication is enhanced when the material of the container and the material of the grip layer are of different color. In practice, this is often the case to clearly indicate the location of the grip layer. The present invention uses the presence of the two colors in the container to provide an indication with virtually no additional cost, thus avoiding the need for dyes or labels.

Advantageously, a plurality of inspection holes form a name, such as a mark or a typing name. In this way a brand or product indication can be displayed. In the case of a box for beer bottles, for example, the plurality of inspection holes may constitute the name of the brewery, the type of beer and / or the number of bottles and their contents.

It is noted that the use of inspection holes, as mentioned above, can also be carried out in the handle sections where there is no cavity.

The present invention further provides a handle intended to be used in a container as described above. The handle according to the invention has inspection holes that allow a relatively soft grip layer material to be visible, the inspection holes being shaped such that they provide perceptible indications, such as alphanumeric characters.

5 The handle can be arranged in the central part or on a side wall, and can form a single piece with the container or be manufactured separately.

A description of the present invention is given below with reference to the examples of the 10 embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, and in which:

Figure 1 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a container handle according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically represents, in top view, a part of the first embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a container handle according to the present invention;

Figure 4 represents, in a front view, the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 5 represents, in a side view, a third embodiment of a container handle according to the present invention;

Figure 6 schematically represents a perspective view of a container provided with handles according to the present invention.

The handle section 6 illustrated only by way of non-limiting example in Figure 1, is arranged above

30 of a handle opening 5 in the side wall 3 of a container with an outer part A and an inner part B. Although a handle arranged in a side wall is illustrated, the present invention also relates to other handles, such as central handles in boxes and similar containers. A container in which the handle section in question can be used is illustrated in Figure 6.

35 The handle section 6 illustrated in Figure 1 forms a single piece with the side wall 3. However, this is not essential and similarly manufactured handles can be contemplated. The handle section 6 is provided with a layer 7 of relatively soft material, preferably a thermoplastic material. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip layer 7 is provided on both sides of the handle section, the layer oriented towards the inner part B of the container extending more than the layer disposed on the opposite layer of the section of

40 handle

In accordance with the present invention, a cavity 18 is formed in the handle section 6. The cavity is substantially located in the central part and, in the illustrated embodiment, is open in the upper surface of the handle section, presenting therefore a substantially U-shaped configuration. It should be noted that

Other embodiments are also possible in which the cavity is open towards the lower surface of the handle section, that is, towards the opening of the handle 5, thus forming an inverted U configuration. It can also be considered that the cavity is open to one side.

In the illustrated embodiment the cavity 18 is filled with the same material as the grip layer 7. A hole

50 upper through 9 constitutes an anchor hole through which the material 7 in the cavity 18 is connected to the material 7 next to the handle section 6. A through hole 9 'also constitutes an anchor hole and connects the layers on opposite sides of the handle section 6. The holes 9 and 9` also serve to distribute the material of the gripping layer 7 during its manufacture.

55 As can be seen, the width of the walls of the cavity 18 is much smaller than the width of the handle section as a whole, which results in shorter cooling times and less shrinkage problems during the manufacture of the container. The relatively soft material 7 can be molded together, but preferably it is injection molded into an individual mold, not much later than the molding of the container itself.

60 As illustrated in the top view in Figure 2, the walls of the cavity 18 are preferably connected by connecting elements 25. Said connection elements, which preferably form a single piece with the walls of the cavity, increase notably the overall resistance of the handle section.

According to another aspect of the present invention, other through holes are provided through which the material 7 extends. As illustrated in Figure 1, an inspection hole 19 is provided on the front face (towards the outside A) of the handle section 6. This inspection hole 19 allows the material 7 to be visible in the front part of the handle section. If the color of the material of the gripping layer 7 is different from the color of the material of the container, the material 7 in the inspection hole 19 is clearly visible from the outside of the container. The inspection hole may form a noticeable indication, such as a sign or symbol. Advantageously, the inspection hole 19 constitutes an alphanumeric character. This allows a name or type indication to be displayed, for example the name of a brewery or manufacturer, and / or an indication of the type or quantity of the product that is carried in the container. This is illustrated in Figure 4 where the initials of a manufacturer are visualized by means of the material 7 in the inspection holes 19.

Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the inspection hole widens towards the front of the handle section 6. Although this is advantageous, it is not essential and inspection holes with a substantially uniform diameter can be contemplated. However, widening the inspection hole 19 towards the front of the handle section has the advantage that a smaller amount of the material 7 is needed, which is relatively expensive. Also, to provide several inspection holes 19 of different shape in the front part of the handle section, a series of substantially uniform channels can be provided that extend into widened sections with different shapes.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the provision of a cavity (reference number 18 in Figure 1) is not necessary to provide inspection holes 19. The advantage of inspection holes 19 as it has been discussed above and illustrated in Figure 4, it can be achieved without the presence of such a cavity. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the inspection hole 19 consists of a through hole that extends from the back of the handle section 6 (where there is a grip layer 7) to the front part thereof. . Such a hole provides both an anchor of the grip layer and a contribution to the molding of the material 7 of the grip layer. However, an inspection hole 19 is not necessarily connected to other parts of the gripping material through a hole, cavity or channel.

As in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the material 7 may slightly protrude from the inspection hole (s) 19, but is substantially flush with the front part of the handle section.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 some of the inspection holes 19 have been modified to form ribs of matter 7. Said ribs may protrude slightly to provide a better grip, or they may be substantially flush with the handle section. 6´. Other inspection holes 19 form an indication, such as the number of bottles in the box and the contents of each bottle, for example "24x 25cl".

Although said indication can be formed because the material of the grip layer has substantially the same color as the handle or the cage as a whole, it is preferable that the grip layer has a different color, advantageously a contrast color. With a gray or dark blue handle, for example, white or yellow markings provide good contrast and improve the readability of the indication.

In this way, marks can be provided on the handle, such as the product brand on the container and / or the type of product packaging. In the latter case, the handle of a beer box could, for example, indicate “24x0.5”, which indicates that 24 bottles of 0.5 liters can be carried in this box. These marks, according to the present invention, are preferably provided by the grip layer material (relatively soft), although other materials can be used. For example, evidence can be provided on the handle of a box using HDPE (high density polyethylene) of two different colors. Therefore, the indications could be provided using a relatively hard material.

The handle section 6 'of Figure 5 may contain a cavity (reference number 18 in Figure 1) but is not essential. It is noted that the handle section 6 'is designed to be used as a central handle in, for example, a box. Obviously, the ribs of material 7 can also be applied in handle sections on side walls, as previously mentioned in reference to Figures 1 and 3. Said ribs are not necessarily elongated, and can be rounded, square or present. Any suitable way.

The central handle section may be associated with a container by means of a fixing device as described in British patent application No. 0229184.7 filed on December 16, 2002 and the corresponding European patent application No. 03 ... ... .... [PO36 EP1] filed on December 16, 2003, or any other suitable fixing device. Alternatively, the central handle section 6 'can form a single piece with the container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, recesses 26 are provided in the handle section 6 'to receive the thumb (or any other finger) of the user of the container. The recesses 26 facilitate lifting and carrying the container. Although the recesses in the vicinity of the respective ends of the handle section 6 'are illustrated, they can also be located away from said ends. Instead of two recesses 26, an individual recess, or a plurality of them, can be provided.

The case example 1 in Figure 6 comprises a base 2 and side walls 3 that extend substantially perpendicularly from the base 2. The upper edges of the walls 3 define a flange 4. The handle sections 6 are defined by grip openings 5, and are provided with a layer of

5 grip 7 of relatively soft material, for example SEBS (styrene ethylene butadiene styrene) or any suitable thermoplastic material. Preferably, the box 1 is made of HDPE (high density polytethylene) or other suitable plastic material. Preferably, the side walls 3 form a single piece with the base 2, although the box 1 could be assembled from individual components. Instead of substantially perpendicular walls 3, inclined side walls could be contemplated.

The grip layer 7 can provide marks or indications according to the present invention. Alternatively, or additionally, the handle section 6 may be hollow, with a U-shaped cross section according to the present invention.

Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated above, and that numerous modifications and additions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. .

Claims (9)

1. Container for storing and / or transporting objects, the container being made of plastic material and comprising a base that extends in a first direction and at least two side walls that are 5 extend from the base in a second direction, the container being provided with at least one handle section provided at least partially with a grip layer made of a material having a hardness less than said plastic material, characterized in that said section The handle is provided with at least one inspection hole through which the material of the grip layer extends and is visible from the outside of the handle section to form a noticeable indication.

2.

Container according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some inspection holes are shaped to form grip ribs.

3.

Container according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the handle section has a

15 substantially U-shaped configuration in order to provide a cavity and because said cavity is filled with said material having a hardness less than said plastic material. 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the cavity is oriented upwards. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the cavity is oriented downwards. 6. Container according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cavity is provided with at least one connection element that connects the opposite walls of the cavity, said connection element preferably forming a single piece with said walls. 7. Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one through hole that serves to connect two sections of the gripping layer together. 8. Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indication constitutes at least one alphanumeric character. 9. Container according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of inspection holes form a name, such as a mark or a typing name. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle section is provided with recesses to receive the thumb of a user. 11. Handle intended for use in a container according to any of the preceding claims. 40 12. Procedure for manufacturing a container made of plastic material and comprising a base that extends in a first direction and at least two side walls that extend from the base in a second direction, the container being provided by less than a handle section provided at least partially with a grip layer made of a material having a hardness less than said plastic material, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 45 forming said handle section with a substantially U-shaped configuration in order to provide a cavity in said handle section having first through holes and second through holes, 50 filling said cavity with said material having a lower hardness than said plastic material, through said first through holes in order to form anchor holes, through which the material in the cavity is connected to the material in the side of the handle section after the plastic material has cured, At the same time reserving at least a second through hole to form an inspection hole, through which the material of the grip layer that is visible from the outside of the handle section extends to form a perceptible indication .